The Ottawa Senators have signed Sudbury Wolves forward Nick Foligno to a professional contract.
No details on the deal were released.
Foligno, 19, scored career highs this season in the OHL, recording 31 goals and 88 points in 66 games.
He also racked up 135 minutes in penalties and a solid +13 rating.
The six-foot, 195-pound centre was selected 28th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
And what do I think?
It was just a matter of time before Nick put his signature on a Senators contract.
He's been an outstanding talent in the OHL for the last three seasons and has little left to prove at this level.
He has progressed each season and has shown he has the tools to make it to the pro level.
Nick has also endured his share of on-ice trash talking and handled himself quite well I must say.
I can say this with conviction because I cover Wolves' home games from ice level against the glass (taking pictures for Northernlife.ca -  check them out, they're awesome!) and I can hear a lot.
It's rarely nice, but that's hockey.
Many OHL coaches dish out praise about Nick constantly and they would all love to have him on their team.
His tenacious and skilled play has earned him this respect.
Yes, he has some maturing to do, but who doesn't at age 19.
Enjoy Nick in the playoffs, fans, because I don't see him coming back to Sudbury next season.
In October he will be 20 and if he doesn't make the Senators, he will definitely be in the AHL.
Nick had a tremendous training camp with Ottawa in the fall of 2006 and came close to making the big club.
Nick has the drive and edge to put himself over the top next time around.
In other sporting news....
Three-time Canadian Champion and 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Jeff Buttle finished sixth at the 2007 International Skating Union World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo.
Buttle, 24, is from Smooth Rock Falls, but spent his formative years learning at the Sudbury Skating Club.
He was in second place after skating a solid short program, but fell twice in his free program.
Brian Joubert of France won the gold, Daisuke Takahashi of Japan the silver and Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland the bronze.
Two local curling rinks representing Northern Ontario are in tough at the 2007 Canadian Senior Curling Championships in Trois Rivieres, Quebec.
The Vicky Barrett Rink of the Idylwylde Curling Club has gone 2-5 in their first seven matches. They sit in tenth place.
The Barrett Rink plays Alberta at 8 am today, followed by a game versus P.E.I. at 4 pm.
The team consists of skip Barrett, third Margaret McLaughlin, second Brenda Harrow and lead Roma Lundgren.
The Bud O'Donnell Rink from the Sudbury Curling Club went 1-6 in their first seven games. They currently sit last in the standings.
They play Alberta today at noon, followed by a contest against P.E.I. at 8 pm.
The squad consists of skip O'Donnell, third Alan Arkilander, second Doug Rollins and lead Bruce Reynolds.
